A MILITARY field gun weighing nearly two tons was fired on Poole Quay yesterday after being hauled 80 gruelling miles from Portsmouth’s HMS Victory.

The charity challenge, taken on by personnel from the Military Provost Guard Service, took three days to complete.

Before arriving at Poole Quay, the team of 17 men had hauled the gun to Sandbanks and Poole Park. Residents and astonished holiday-makers watched as the servicemen pulled the gun and limber – a detachable two-wheeled cart – along the peninsula.

Once at Poole Park, the servicemen laid a wreath at the war memorial before setting off for the quayside.

Team members Gary Jackson and Richard Oakman came up with the idea. Gary said: “We’re often looking to raise money for charity and once the gun pull was mentioned it just took off.

“It’s been pretty tough, it was hot yesterday but members of the public have been really supportive.”

The Daily Echo caught up with the lads at Poole Quay’s Lord Nelson pub, where a crowd of spectators had gathered to watch the proceedings.

Royal Navy veteran William Shakesby, 72, who came out to watch despite a sudden downpour, said: “Those guys must be really fit. I have to say, well done to all of them. It must have been one hell of a physical challenge to get it all this way.”

The historic gun, which dates back to the Boer War, was fired by the provost guardsmen at 5pm to mark the challenge’s end.

The effort, which started out at HMS Victory, was undertaken to raise money for Julia’s House, the Royal British Legion, and Royal Marines’ charities.

Visit bmycharity.com/gunpull 2013 or mydonate.bt.com/fund raisers/fieldgunpull2013 to donate.